257 - Hellraiser III (1992) & Hellraiser (2022) →

It’s Hellraiser Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey once again explore the further reaches of experience!

The Classic Film: Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
"An investigative reporter must send the newly unbound Pinhead and his legions back to Hell” (IMDb.com). After the initial classic and the better-than-you-might-expect sequel, the scope of the Hellraiser mythos spreads to the city streets, but has the series jumped the shark yet?

Get more on Patreon! Read our afterthoughts for this episode HERE!

The Modern Film: Hellraiser (2022)
"A take on Clive Barker's 1987 horror classic where a young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites” (Hulu). A complete refresh of the series, Hulu's Hellraiser joins the small collection of modern reboots that actually aren't that bad.

Audio Sources:
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Hellraiser" (1987) produced by New World Pictures, et al.
"Hellraiser" (2022) produced by 20th Century Studios, et al.
"Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth" produced by Fifth Avenue Entertainment & Trans Atlantic Entertainment
"Hellraiser (VNV Nation Remix)" written by Johan van Roy and performed by Suicide Commando
"Jim Gaffigan: Beyond the Pale" produced by Chimichanga Productions, et al.

219 - Candyman 3 (1999) & Candyman (2021) →

CW: Suicide, Hate Crimes, Police Brutality

It’s Candyman Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey dip their toes into the race discussion before immediately admitting that they don't have the expertise required to discuss it with any authority. It's fun!

Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Candyman: Day of the Dead (1999)
"The Candyman is back, trying to convince his descendent, an artist, to join him” (IMDb.com). Candyman 3—following another location change to Los Angeles this time—isn't good, but it isn't as bad as you might think. It's certainly no Farewell to the Flesh.

The Modern Film: Candyman (2021)
"A sequel to the horror film Candyman (1992) that returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began” (IMDb.com). This new Candyman is an updated take on race relations in America and tries to adapt the Candyman mythos to its modern setting, mostly successfully. It's compelling and beautifully shot if not at all scary.

Audio Sources:
"The Candy Man" written by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley and performed by Sammy Davis Jr.
"Candy Man (Instrumental)" produced by Stage & Screen Music Ltd
"Candyman" (2021) produced by Monkeypaw Productions, et al.
"Candyman: Day of the Dead" produced by Artisan Entertainment & Aurora Productions
"Fill Me with the Gobi Desert" (from "Glorious") written and performed by Eddie Izzard
"Jsu Garcia ALS IceBucket Challenge & Nomination" via MSIA LiveOnline @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkfyRXsATDc
"The Mask" produced by New Line Cinema & Dark Horse Entertainment
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Urban Legend" produced by Phoenix Pictures, et al.

172 - Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) & Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002) →

CW: Suicide, Torture, Self-harm

It’s Hell Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey find pleasure in the pain of the Hellraiser franchise, rounding out the Kirsty Cotton Trilogy!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

The Classic Film: Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
"Kirsty is brought to an institution after the horrible events of Hellraiser (1987), where the occult-obsessive head doctor resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites and their demonic underworld” (IMDb.com). Only two movies into the series and Hellbound: Hellraiser II is already starting to turn the franchise a little wacky. But it still has beautifully horrific visuals and charm to spare.

The Modern Film: Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
"A shady businessman attempts to piece together the details of the car crash that killed his wife, rendered him an amnesiac, and left him in possession of a sinister puzzle box that summons monsters” (IMDb.com). Okay, so yeah, six entries into a semi-niche horror franchise and you're certainly going to see some wear and tear, but Hellraiser: Hellseeker manages to still have some intriguing content, due largely to its premise and the return of the OG Franchise heroine. Anything can happen!

Audio Sources:
"Anything Could Happen" written by Ellie Goulding & Jim Eliot and performed by Ellie Goulding
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" produced by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, et al.
"Heavy Metal" written by Sammy Hagar & Jim Peterik and performed by Sammy Hagar
"Hellbound: Hellraiser II" produced by New World Pictures, et al.
"Hellraiser (VNV Nation Remix)" written by Johan van Roy and performed by Suicide Commando
"Hellraiser: Hellseeker" produced by Dimension Films & Neo Art & Logic
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

153 - Candyman 2 (1995) & Hatchet (2006) →

Worst of 2020 - #3 Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode here!

It’s inexplicably Carnival Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey sing the song of misery and relive the day of their deaths for all time!

The Classic Film: Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)
"The Candyman moves on to New Orleans and starts his horrific murders once more. This time, his intended victim is a school teacher. Her father was killed by the Candyman, and brother wrongly accused of the murders” (IMDb.com). This sequel to 1992’s Candyman takes the supernatural killer (and basically all of the events of the original) to a new town but loses all of the quality and nuance in the process. 

The Modern Film: Hatchet (2006)
"When a group of tourists in a New Orleans haunted swamp tour find themselves stranded in the wilderness, their evening of fun and spooks turns into a horrific nightmare.” (IMDb.com). Praised for its lack of CGI gore and the fact that it’s an original IP, Hatchet (ironically, just Friday the 13th in the bayou) has almost nothing else going for it. It’s kinda lame and boring is what we’re saying.

Audio Sources:
“Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh” produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment & Propaganda Films
"Cry-Baby" produced by Universal Pictures & Imagine Entertainment
"For The Right Reasons" (from The Bachelorette S09E02) performed by Soulja Boy, Desiree Hartsock, and the group date guys
“Hatchet” produced by ArieScope Pictures, et al.
"Not Another Teen Movie" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Office Space" produced by Twentieth Century Fox, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones

085 - Rawhead Rex (1986) & Constantine (2005) →

CW: Suicide, Mental Illness

It’s Man vs. Demon Week on Pod Sematary as Chris and Kelsey discuss two films about regular ol’ human dudes taking on the un-killable spawn of hell! But be sure not to underestimate the ladies in these stories, as they may be more powerful than they’re given credit for!

The Classic Film: Rawhead Rex (1986)
"Ireland will never be the same after Rawhead Rex, a particularly nasty demon, is released from his underground prison by an unwitting farmer” (IMDb.com). Clive Barker famously dislikes this production of one of his many screenplays, and for good reason, but maybe… just maybe… it wasn’t that great a concept to begin with?

The Modern Film: Constantine (2005)
"Supernatural detective John Constantine helps a policewoman prove her sister's death was not a suicide, but something more” (IMDb.com). An underrated comic book movie to be sure, Constantine is basically John Wick in tone, concept, and lead actor, but with demons thrown in for good measure.

Plus! Kelsey questions the origins of the Christian faith and Chris talks too much about comic books!

Get more at podsematary.com! Read our afterthoughts for this episode at https://twitter.com/PodSematary/status/1130270216070488065

Audio Sources:
"Argo" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Batman" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Bram Stoker's Dracula" produced by American Zoetrope, et al.
"Catch Me If You Can" produced by DreamWorks, et al.
"Constantine" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Guardians of the Galaxy" produced by Marvel Studios, et al.
"Inward Singing" written and performed by Tenacious D (Jack Black & Kyle Gass)
"John Mulaney: New in Town" produced by 3 Arts Entertainment & Irwin Entertainment
"Rawhead Rex" produced by Alpine Pictures, et al.
"'Shia LaBeouf' Live - Rob Cantor" via robcantor @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0u4M6vppCI
"Split" produced by Universal Pictures, et al.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze" produced by New Line Cinema, et al.
"The Yada Yada" (Seinfeld S08E19) produced by Shapiro/West Productions & Castle Rock Entertainment

053 - Candyman (1992) & Urban Legend (1998) →

It's Creepy Pasta Week on Pod Sematary! Chris & Kelsey review two films focused on modern folklore!

First up is Clive Barker's Candyman from 1992, a movie both Chris & Kelsey had seen before and didn't expect to enjoy so much this time around! Who can mix Freddy Kruger's fear-sourced strength, Hellraiser's eloquent and hypnotic antagonists, and the People Under the Stairs' social themes? The Candyman can!

Then it's on to Urban Legend from 1998, a movie Chris was so excited about that he managed to talk about just about everything else but it! This Scream-wannabe lacks much of the charm of its predecessor, but does its nostalgia factor hold it up?

Audio Sources:
"Burns' Heir" (The Simpsons S05E18) produced by Gracie Films & 20th Century Fox Television
"Candyman" produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, et al.
"Christine" produced by Columbia Pictures, et al.
"Pet Sematary" written by Dee Dee Ramone & Daniel Rey and performed by The Ramones
"Sleepless in Seattle" produced by TriStar Pictures
"Urban Legend" produced by Phoenix Pictures, et al.
"Wicker Man" produced by Warner Bros., et al.
"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" produced by Wolper Pictures Ltd.